Hey guys! Thanks for the reviews! So, here's your chapter, just like I promised! PS: I'm writing the rest of the story in first person. Sorry!

Chapter 2

I just stood there in shock. I felt every singly pair of eyes turn on me. I felt naked under their gaze.

Suddenly all gazes shifted from me to Mr Everest. I missed the first part of what he was saying, but it's not hard to guess.

"-where he comes up with this stuff. I must wholeheartedly agree. Is there anyone her who thinks differently? Don't be shy."

I stared right at my mom. Please, I begged her using only my eyes. I willed her arm to go up and for her voice to protect me, but it didn't. Her arm stayed down and her mouth stayed shut.

Before I had a chance to react, strong arms grabbed me around the waist and pulled me toward town hall. Dawson was getting similar treatment.

Once inside, they shoved me into an ugly room with flower-patterned walls. The first person to visit me was Markus.

He walked in slowly and grasped my hands. He looked close to tears.

"I'm going to miss you" He whispered shakily.

"Why'd you do it?" I asked, hating the vicious note in my voice. After all, my anger was not for the boy sitting opposite me, but for the woman who didn't stick up for her own daughter.

"I, I, I knew you could do it."

"Do what?"

"Win. You're the only person in this town who could win."

"I'm no even from here! Or have you forgot?"

I pulled up my sleeve to reveal a swirly gold tattoo of the Capitol emblem.

"Cover that up" He snarled.

I yanked my sleeve back down and narrowed my eyes at him. Where was this anger coming from? I had no reason to be mad at Markus. Markus loved me… or did he?

"I haven't forgot, Coral. Don't you realize? You can act like one of those Capitol bozos and your just as pretty. You could easily win their heart. This is your chance to shine Coral!"

"What if I don't want to go?" I took a deep breath and all the words began to pour out uncontrolled. "What if it I want to stay here and marry you and have a normal life? How can I do any of that if I'm dead?"

"You want to get married?"

"You don't?" I cried hysterically.

"No!" He covered smoothly "I mean yes, of course I want to get married. It's just that, well, you've been growing distant lately and I was starting to think you stopped loving me. I've wanted to propose, I was just scared you'd say no."

"Of course I'd say yes! Yes! Yes! Ye-"

"We can't get married yet" He said. "Oh, no. You have to win the Games first. Understand?"

I nodded mutely.

"You go and win the Games. You'll get really rich and when you come back we'll get married. Okay?"

"But I don't want to kill the other tributes"

"You have to. Please, Coral. Kill them all for me. Just throw your knife and think of me. C'mon Coral, don't be afraid. Just throw your knife and think of me"

Just throw your knife and think of me. I closed my eyes and nodded.

"Time's up!" Someone called.

Markus walked out silently.

"Hello Coral" A thin feminine voice greeted.

"Lindy"

I didn't feel like calling her "mom".

"Honey, I think you should know that there was nothing I could do. One vote wouldn't change anything."

"It would've changed everything to me"

"Well that's why I'm telling you now. I'm sure you'll survive, your father did." That perked my interest.

"Hmm?"

"Your father, Coriolanus Snow. He was from District 2 and he was forced into the Games at fifteen. He almost died several times, but in the end he just had it. He won after only a week."

"Only a week?"

"Yes. Only a week. Most Games last months or more"

She gave me a moment to ponder that and then I had to ask the question that had been burning inside me my whole life.

"Lindy, tell me the truth. Why did we move to District 12?"

I had thought, after all this sharing and bonding that she would actually answer me. I couldn't be more wrong.

"I just wanted a change of scenery" She repeated half-heartedly.

I screamed and grabbed the edge of my chair. My nails ripped thorough the soft silk of the lining easily. It was all I could do from attacking my mom.

Don't' get me wrong, I'm not usually a violent person, but my mom is the reason I have no friends and the reason my life is the way it is. She's the reason I can never wear a dress like the other girls why I can't curl or dye my hair. Why I'm not allowed in public in summer and why, before today, I never even knew my father's name. She's the reason I'm always s alone at town meeting and events and because of her, I've had to face all the bullying and abuse alone. She never intervenes with my life and never stand up for me. She never cooks dinner or washes my clothes. She does nothing to comfort me when I'm sad and she doesn't buy me a birthday cake on my birthday. She never answers my questions and I've never learned anything about my past of my ancestry. She's ruined my life and will she even answer my one and only question about my life? No!

"Coral, I've wanted to tell you so many times but, it just hurt too much"

That's when I snapped.

"Does it hurt too much to smile at me in the morning? Or to help cook dinner every once in a while? Does it hurt too much to say "Happy Birthday" once a year? "Does it hurt to help me with my homework or to clean my wounds when I get hurt? Do you feel pain if you try to stand up for me when I'm being bullied? Does it hurt too much to say "Good Luck" when your only child is sent off to die? Huh? Does it?"

"Yes" She whimpered. "It hurts"

"You're always hiding things from me! Why didn't you tell me? I told you everything. I thought you loved me. Obviously not. I'm going to die because you!"

"You hate me!"

"No! Coral ,please! I-"

"Well, you know what? I hate you too!"

"Please-"

Just go Lindy!" I screamed. "Get away from me! I've had enough! Just go! "

She walked out rubbing her eyes with her sleeve. I just wanted to be alone, but of course that wasn't possible.

Next thing I knew, I was being carried into a train and the dropped onto a padded bench. I didn't have any of my possessions, but I didn't care. I feel asleep quickly in the dim compartment.

"Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap."

Someone was knocking on my door.

"Tap. Tap."

I wanted to scream for the tapper to go away, but my throat was as dry as sandpaper. It felt like sandpaper too. I opened my eyes groggily and saw a young girl about my age with soft blonde hair that looked like chick feathers all over her head. Hey eyes were dark blue with lighter blue highlights. I couldn't help but notice that she looked familiar.

"Hello?" I croaked.

"Lunch" She mouthed.

"No" I replied rolling over.

"Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.-"

"Fine" I growled getting up. I barely reached my feet when my head started spinning and I fell over onto the floor again.

The girl was waving her hand for me to get up, but I just didn't have the energy to get up again.

"No energy" I muttered into the carpet.

I heard the glass door slide open and then the girl was standing right beside me. She tapped me on the shoulder and then handed me something long and rectangular. I reached out and felt thin plastic,, but my groggy brain couldn't figure out what it was.

The girl rolled her eyes and then peeled away the plastic to reveal a big chunk of half-melted chocolate. I stared at her in surprise.

"Where'd you get this?" I asked biting into the soft chocolate.

She put her fingers to her lips. It was a gesture that meant "shh or "Don't tell anyone"

I shook my head and smiled at her. It probably looked gross because I still had a mouthful of chocolate, but I couldn't help it. As soon as I had enough of the sugar in my bloodstream I stood up and thanked the girl graciously. I handed her back what was left of the chocolate, but she just threw it into the little fire-place in the compartment. I watched it burn in fascination before I turned back to her. She pointed to herself and then to me, and then she put her finger on her lips again. Her silent language was clearer than any verbal communication could've been.

"It's our secret"

So… what did you think? Good? Bad? Let me know.

Here's your quote:

"You murderer! You killed her! You killed Emilie! You killed my sister! I hate you! I hate you! Go away! Get away from me!"

And, because I so admire you guys:

"I love you Coral"

And you know what you need to do to get the next chapter, right? I thought so.

I'll leave you to your task.

KATE